The type of treatment you will receive for breast cancer depends on the stage of your cancer, the aggressiveness of your cancer, and your overall health. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed, have advanced stages of the disease or have had your cancer return after treatment, we can help you decide what treatment options are best for you. Your options include:
Surgery for Breast Cancer
There are multiple types of surgeries used to remove breast cancer and part or all of the breast.
Lumpectomy: A lumpectomy is the removal of cancerous cells in the breast. During lumpectomy, a surgeon tries to conserve as much of the breast as possible. The cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy tissues are surgically removed.
Removal of some or several lymph nodes: The lymph nodes are in the armpits. A doctor will remove a small amount of your lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread to them. If his results are positive, more lymph nodes will be removed to prevent the spread of the cancer. If the results are negative, no further surgery of the lymph nodes is required.
Mastectomy: A mastectomy is a way of treating breast cancer by removing the entire breast tissue.
Double Mastectomy: A double mastectomy is the removal of both breasts. Some women with breast cancer in one breast may choose to remove the other healthy breast as well due to their individual genetic predispositions or family histories.
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
External beam radiotherapy (EBRT): EBRT for breast cancer is when high-powered energy beams are directed to your breast from a machine outside the body to kill cancer cells. The goal of EBRT is to completely damage and permanently kill cancer cells whereas healthy cells can repair themselves and recover. EBRT is usually directed towards the remaining breast tissue after a lumpectomy or the chest wall after a mastectomy.
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
Hormone therapy uses hormones to reduce the size of cancer. Breast cancer hormone therapy specifically includes the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Hormone therapy blocks the growth of these hormones, as they can stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill fast-growing breast cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy drugs are administered either orally or through IV.
Other treatment options for breast cancer include: Palliative care, Immunotherapy, and Brachytherapy.